There’s just something about spending time at the shore that makes many of us love coastal living no matter where we happen to hang our hats. Perhaps that’s why we’re more beach-lovers than landlubbers and are absolutely crazy about the idea of decorating with shells during the holidays.
Seashells add an unexpected natural beauty to Christmas. With rich luminescence, they create jewel-like touches when tucked amidst white twinkle lights. Shells elegantly mix with strands of pearly beaded garland and silver glass balls to sophisticatedly bring the outdoors in. Starfish shapes mimic traditional Christmas stars. Both shells and starfish add understated texture in snow-like hues and visually pop against tree and garland greens.
Decorating with shells has been a tradition in New England for centuries where wreaths, trees and garland are typically adorned with finds from the sea. Now designers from coast-to-coast (and everywhere in between) are hitting the beach for inspiration and we’re delightfully shell shocked by their inventive uses of natural shells. Here are some of our favorite finds:
Simple seasonal messages set a nice tone and who wouldn’t find JOY in these bigger-than-life letters? Each is made of a felted wood frame that’s decadently covered with shells.
Cover top-to-bottom in shell, our Opulent Shell Trees are design jack-of-all trades. They make showy centerpieces when grouped up and down the dining table or on the mantel. As stand-alones, they add beachy touches to window sills or bedside tables.
We liked this coastal take on classic village houses so much we snapped these seashore cottages up as exclusives (yes, you can only get them from RSH!). Sprinkle shells or starfish from your own collection around this little neighborhood to shore up the look.
These capiz shell boxes provide a unique way to wrap gifts. They create the feel of little treasure boxes and are as much a keepsake as their contents.
Whether you lean toward the dramatic or the subtle, shells provide a way to bring your love of the sea to Christmas. And because each seashell, starfish and the like are different, the look you create with be one-of-a-kind...and all yours.
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